Raider Flight Departs I74

It was 7:00am, just after sunrise, when Raider One launched on runway two zero at Grimes Field (I74). A late-comer in a rented 172 insisted on landing and the flight obliged as they lined up in position for take-off.

Seventeen aircraft were headed to Wright Field at the Air Force Museum to provide a static display this Saturday in conjunction

with the Doolittle reunion celebration. Sunday at 10:00am a fly-over at the museum is planned as a memorial service begins.

Here is Raider Fifteen, "Yellow Rose" getting the launch signal.

Raider Sixteen, "Devil Dog", and Raider Seventeen wait their turn.

North American B-25J

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday affords many the opportunity to view the largest concentration of B-25 medium bombers since World War II. Grimes Field (I74), Urbana is the staging area for B-25s gathering to pay tribute on Saturday at the Air Force museum in Dayton to the remaining survivors of Lt Col James Doolittle's bombing raid on Tokyo, April 18, 1942.

North American B-25J "Mitchell" Medium Bomber

Wing Span: 67 ft 7 in (20.59 m)

Length: 51 ft (15.55 m) Height:

Height: 16 ft 4 in (4.98 m) Wing Area: 610 sq ft (56.67 m²)

Weights: Empty: 19,530 lb (8,858 kg) Gross: 26,122 lb (11,848 kg)

Maximum T/O: 35,000 lb. (15,876 kg)

Maximum Speed: 285 mph (458 kph) at 15,000 ft (4,572 m)

Cruising Speed: 230 mph (370 kph) Service Ceiling: 24,200 ft (7,376 m)

Normal Range: 1,350 miles (2,172 km) with
3,000 lbs (1,360 kg) of bombs

Maximum Range: 2,200 miles (3,540 km) with ferry tanks

Powerplant: Two R-2600-29 Wright "Cyclone" 14 cylinder, air cooled radial
engines developing 1,700 hp (1,268 kW) each for T/O

Armament: Eighteen .50 cal (12.7 mm) M-2 Colt-Browning machine guns.
Up to 3,200 lbs (1,451 kg) of bombs

N554KF Departs CQA

The way it arrived is the way it left. I had the opportunity to help the new owner of N554KF, Mark Busby of Bogalusa, LA, load the aircraft on his trailer for the journey to its new home. Steve Shinabery decided the Kitfox was more than he wanted to tackle and reluctantly elected to part with it and concentrate on finishing his license in the Cessna 150J he has a share in. Goodbye N554KF you will be missed.

April 11, 2010 Meeting

Chapter 922 of the EAA met April 11, 2:00 pm at the terminal building at AXV. Members present were: Ken Boyd, Marc Hines, Dick Murray, Mike Schnell, Rudy Schnidhorst, Marty Bevill, Gene Will and Walt Vogel. There were also four guests present.

The vice president called the meeting to order. The minutes of the previous were read and approved. Mike Schnell reviewed plans for the Young Eagles Day to be held June 19. They would like for someone with a four place airplane to volunteer for this event.

Mike Stanton and three others were there representing the Boy Scouts. They asked the EAA chapter if they would be a sponsor for their group (ages 14-20) to learn about aviation. The cost of the sponsorship is $20. After discussion Mike Schnell moved and Ken Boyd seconded the motion to give them $20 for the sponsorship. Motion carried.

Gene Will gave the treasurer’s report. He reported a balance of $213.22 in the treasury. Two members, Marc Hines and Rudy Schnidhorst paid their dues.

Dick Murray reported that the Kit Fox from CQA has finally been sold for the fifth time!!

Marty Bevill presented a poster from the national EAA promoting airplane construction.

Ken Boyd adjourned the meeting at 2:35 pm.

Walt try's on an Ercoupe

Well it was Saturday morning in Van Wert (VNW) and I was trying to swallow the last bite of some really dry pancakes when Walter Vogel arrived with his plate. I had to bum a ride when the engine on the 140 lost power on takeoff from Lakefield (CQA) earlier this sunny cloudless morning, but that's another story. I flew with Tim Foster (C-172 owner and prospective member) and Jason Springer (Sonnex owner and prospective member) from CQA in Tim's 172 in some cool stable air. Walter decided to four wheel it because the oil was due for a change in the Savannah.
The talk at the table quickly turned to Randy Thompson's Ercoupe, N2853H, and whether one might be able to fly it this morning. The more we talked the more interest was generated and Walt decided to take advantage of the opportunity and experience the qualities only an Ercoupe affords its pilots.
I'm anxious to hear how he liked it because we had to leave before he returned.

VNW Breakfast

I just received the flyer from Van Wert on their breakfast this Saturday, March 20. It is the community project for Van Wert high school and they do a real nice job with good pancakes. Might get a chance to see the Ercoupe you can't rent.

Excuse the blue hue, that is the way I received the file.

Garmin Panel Upgrade is complete

I found another good deal on a waas garmin, so I added a 430W with a GS indicator.

They installed it free for my kx155 trade in.

I took it in for a bad blind encoder.... came out with the 430W and now dual GS and yes, my GTX330 does send mode C again....

I'm broke once more!